Infratemporal Fossa - LO 1

1. What bony opening(s) do fibers of V3 exit from the skull?

The large sensory root of the mandibular n. (V3) emerges from the lateral part of the trigeminal ganglion and exits the skull via the foramen ovale. The small motor root passes under the ganglion and through the foramen ovale to unite with the sensory root just inferior to the skull.

Mandibular n. immediately passes between tensor veli palatini m. (medial) and the lateral pterygoid m. (lateral), and gives off a meningeal branch and several motor branches. The nerve then divides into a small anterior and large posterior trunk.